Norman Gurley
| Norman Gurley | |
| FR Co. Exec | Official Photographer ? - ? |
| FR Soc. Director | 1958 - 1963 |
Norman was a stalwart of both the Railway and the Society for many years. He was involved with the London Area Group (LAG) committee from the outset and was for some years the Working Party Organiser before giving up his day job with Scamell lories in Watford and moving up to North Wales permanently. The LAG was always associated with permanent way work so it was fitting that Norman should become a platelayer on his move to Wales.
He was a keen photographer and took countless pictures of the Railway, both in black and white and in colour. His pictures have graced many a railway publication and, indeed, continue to do so. He was the Official Photographer for the Railway, and compiled the photographic album Narrow Gauge Steam Out of Portmadoc [1]. He was also involved with the production and distribution of the FR Magazine.
Norman was a Director of FR Society from 1958 until 1963, when he resigned on taking up his permanent staff post as platelayer.
Towards the end of his P Way work he concentrated on the new line from Dduallt to Blaenau. After he stopped doing permanent way work he was to be seen in the booking offices and working for Ffestiniog Travel. He later semi retired and spent the winter months in New Zealand where his sister and her family live, but, for the summer, he was back in Wales again.
Sadly, Norman died in 2004. His ashes are scattered by the lineside at Tunnel South at a spot which can be seen across the valley from his house in Llan Ffestiniog. Look for a triangular memorial slate on the hill-side at the start of Tunnel South Cutting, just up the line from the gabion boxes.[2][3]
[edit] References
- ^ Gurley, Norman F. (1980). Narrow Gauge Steam Out of Portmadoc. Truro, Cornwall, England: D Bradford Barton. ISBN 0-85153-380-9. OCLC 16483893.
- ^ Ffestiniog Railway Magazine - Society House Magazine Issue No: 057 , page(s): 024 , Personal Portrait
- ^ Ffestiniog Railway Magazine - Society House Magazine Issue No: 185 , page(s): 260 , Obituary
